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hierarchy

HYE-er-ahr-kee /ˈhaɪərɑːrki/

nounB2GRETOEFLIELTSSAT

AcademicFormal

A system or organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.

Hierarchy implies a vertical structure where power flows from top to bottom, establishing clear superior and subordinate roles.

The story behind the word. In the 5th century, the Greek scholar Pseudo-Dionysius coined 'hierarchia' to describe the sacred ranks of angels ruling in heavenly spheres. Over centuries, the word descended from celestial realms into church leadership, military command, and eventually modern sociological descriptions of ranked authority.

Word relationships

pecking order: 'Pecking order' is an informal, often biological or social ranking, whereas 'hierarchy' is a formal structural framework.
ranking: 'Ranking' is a list ordered by score or merit, whereas 'hierarchy' implies a formal system of authority and command.

egalitarianism: 'Egalitarianism' is the belief in equal rights, status, and authority for all people.

Commonly confused with

heresy: 'Heresy' is a belief that opposes official religious or ideological doctrine; 'hierarchy' is a ranked authority system.

Word family

hierarchical (adjective): Arranged in order of rank or authority.
hierarchically (adverb): In a manner that follows ranks or levels of authority.

Collocations

rigid hierarchy
corporate hierarchy
social hierarchy
command hierarchy

Idioms & expressions

pecking order
chain of command

Example sentences

"The military maintains a rigid hierarchy where orders issued by higher officers must be obeyed without debate." Corporate administrative design
"Every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence in a hierarchy." Academic citation on organizational structure (Laurence J. Peter, 'The Peter Principle' (1969))

Memory hook

HIERarchy puts HIER (higher) ranks at the top of the pyramid. Higher levels of ruling power.

When not to use

Do not use hierarchy to describe flat, peer-to-peer networks where every participant possesses equal authority.

Fun facts

The word was strictly reserved for the celestial orders of angels (Seraphim, Cherubim, etc.) for nearly a thousand years before being applied to human institutions.